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  Democrat’s bill puts cap on lawsuits
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ContributorRalphie 
Last EditedRalphie  Jun 01, 2005 04:08pm
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CategoryProposed Legislation
News DateWednesday, June 1, 2005 10:00:00 PM UTC0:0
DescriptionU.S. Rep. Brian Baird has proposed legislation to cap medical malpractice damage awards at almost $900,000, tighten oversight of the insurance industry and force state medical boards to get tough with problem doctors.

Neither doctors, nor trial lawyers nor insurance companies particularly like the bill.

But Baird (D-Vancouver) called it a “practical approach” that should help improve the quality of medical care, rein in the ever-increasing cost of care and help ensure doctors aren’t driven out of business.

“The fact we are being attacked is not necessarily a bad thing,” Baird said last week as he and two other Democrats unveiled the legislation. “If I presented this to the average guy on the street, I feel comfortable they would like it.”

President Bush has championed medical malpractice reform. The White House and congressional Republicans have called for a $250,000 cap on punitive damages and sanctions against lawyers who file “frivolous” lawsuits.

But while the House has approved such legislation, it remains bottled up in the Senate with Democrats again threatening a filibuster.

Baird hopes his bill will be a catalyst toward a compromise.

“We have to do something,” he said. “We have tried to come up with a balanced bill. I don’t think the caps as proposed by the Republicans will solve the problem or are just.”
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